Electromagnetic counter with switching means

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic counter of repeated operations provided with switching means for performing after a predetermined number of operations a certain action. A ratchet wheel with pawl means, with an oscillating crank arm actuated by an electromagnet is provided which transmits to the ratchet wheel the movement by way of a pawl. A circular plate with a radial slot is connected with the ratchet wheel cooperating with a bolt actuating a switch which for instance disconnects a supply circuit after a predetermined number of operations.

United States Patent [72) Inventors Bohuslav Vavrinec;

Frantisck Jagos, both of Prague, Czechoslovakia Mar. 27, 1970 June 29,1971 Tesla, narodni poduik Prague. Czechoslovakia [21 1 Appl. No. [22]Filed [45] Patented [73.] Assignec [54] ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTER WITHSWITCHING MEANS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI 235/132 [51] 1nt.C1 t G061 15/18 [50] Field of Search235/91 M,

132; 200/38 D, 38 DA; 235/91 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,975,528 10/1934 Anderson 235/132 X 2,030,988 2/1936 Hofstetter 235/132X 2,266,862 12/1941 Hardey 235/132 2,406,726 8/1946 Weimont 235/1322,868,456 1/1959 King 235/132 2,917,939 12/1959 200/38 X 3,035,1905/1962 Hughes 200/38 X Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson AssistantExaminerStanley A. Wal Attorneys-Richard Low and Murray SchafferABSTRACT: An electromagnetic counter of repeated operations providedwith switching means for performing after a predetermined number ofoperations a certain action. A ratchet wheel with pawl means, with anoscillating crank arm actuated by an electromagnet is provided whichtransmits to the ratchet wheel the movement by way of a pawl. A circularplate with a radial slot is connected with the ratchet wheel cooperatingwith a bolt actuating a switch which for instance disconnects a supplycircuit after a predetermined number of operations.

PATENTEDJUNZSIBH 3,589,600

sum u 0F 4 fioH V VHVR/NEC ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTER WITH SWITCHING MEANSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION means for automatic disconnecting the driveof the winding machine after a preselected number of turns has beenwound. So far they are provided with similar means, they use relativelycomplicated elements so that their application with smaller units suchas coil winding machines of miniature cores is questionable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide acounter of repeated operation, where the number of these operationscould be preselected.

It is another object of this invention to provide a counter, which wouldbe simple in operation and in design and which could be easily mountedon a panel of the machine where it is applied. i

The counter according to this invention uses a ratchet wheel with pawlsperforming a step-by-step movement derived from an oscillating crank armactuated at each counted operation by an electromagnet. A plate with aradial slot is fixed to the ratchet wheel, with a bolt, sliding alongthe surface of this disc until it reaches this slot to actuate a switchby entering this slot. The counter is adjusted by turning the ratchetwheel with the plate to a position corresponding to the number ofrequired operations prior to start these operations.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An exemplary embodiment of the object of thisinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where FIG. 1 is atop view of the counter with parts in section along the line 1-1 in FIG.2.

FIG. la is a detailed side view of a slot of the circular plate.

FIG. 2 a side view with parts in section along the line 11-11 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a detailed view of the catch.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A main frame 1, preferably of Ushape, is fixed by means of an auxiliary frame 4 of the flange type to apanel 29 supporting the machine with which the counter is cooperating,in the case given with a coil winding machine. A shaft 5 provided with acollar 30 is passing through the auxiliary frame 4, the collar 30resting with its upper face against the lower extremity of the flangetype auxiliary frame 4, whereby the position of the shaft 5 is securedin the upper part of the auxiliary frame 4 by a snap ring 28 engaginginto an annular groove of the shaft 5. On the lower part of the shaft 5below the collar 30 is fixed a ratchet wheel 6 with its hub extending inboth directions; A circular plate 7 with a radial slot 14 is fixed onthe upper part of the hub of the ratchet wheel 6 facing the collar 30 ofthe shaft 5, in close contact with the upper surface of the ratchetwheel 6. The radial slot 14 is on one side limited by an inclined wall,on the other side with a steep wall as shown in detail in FIG. 1a. Abolt 15 actuating contacts 17 of a switch is adapted to slide on theupper surface of the circular plate 7, to drop into the radial slot 14and to be again lifted by the inclined wall to the upper surface of thecircular plate 7. A crank arm 8 supporting roller 22 secured by a snapring 13 and in addition a pawl 27 is freely rotatably mounted on theopposite part of the hub of the ratchet wheel 6. The movement of thearmature 3 of an electromagnet 2 is transmitted via the roller 22 to thecrank-arm 8, the oscillating motion of which causes by means of the pawl27 the advance of the ratchet wheel 6. An extension 9 of the crank arm 8passes through an opening of the lateral wall of the U-shaped frame 1between regulating limiting screws 11, which are adjustable in stablenuts 10. The regulating limiting screws 11 determine the stroke of theratchet wheel 6, the stop pawl 23 of which is mounted on a bolt 24 fixedto the frame. In order to improve the accuracy of the counter, the rightregulating limiting screw 11 is replaced in the arrangement shown inFIG. 3 by an angular stop 30. This stop 30 simultaneously presses thepawl 27 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 6 preventing thus anyunwanted advance of the ratchet wheel 6 due to inertia. The position ofthe angular stop 30 with respect to the pawl 27 can be adjusted withinthe width of the longitudinal slots for its fastening screws. The axialclearance of the crank arm 8 on the hub of the ratchet wheel 6 isdetermined by a fastening plate 16. The band-shaped contact springs of achangeover contact unit 17 are mounted on the U-shaped main frame 1 onthe opposite side of the shaft of the ratchet wheel 6 than theelectromagnet 2. A control knob 19 is fixed by a bolt 20 on the shaft 5above the snap ring 28. A scale 18 is below the control knob 19, thenumber of index lines being equal to the number of teeth of the ratchetwheel 6. The scale 18 for the counter can be directly engraved on thepanel of the respective machine, for instance of the coil windingmachine or it can be independent, whereby it is centered on the hub ofthe flange-shaped auxiliary frame 4 and is fixed to the panel forinstance by some adhesive or by screws. A setscrew 25 for the adjustmentof the extreme position of the armature 3 of the electromagnet 2 with asafety nut 26 is provided on the lateral wall of the main frame 1opposite to the armature 3'. A bolt 12 is fixed on the same wall of themain frame supporting one end of a spring 21, the other end of which isfixed on the crank arm 8.

An electric impulse supplied to the electromagnet 2 causes theattraction of its armature 3, which by pressure against the roller 22forces the crank arm 8 back against the force of the pull spring 21 tothe extreme left position determined by the left limiting screw 11. Thepawl 27 forced into engagement with the ratchet wheel 6 by a spring,slides in the course of this movement of the crank arm 8 along the teethof the ratchet wheel, whereby the ratchet wheel remains stable, as it issecured against rear movement permanently by the stop pawl 23. After theelectromagnet becomes deenergized, the crank arm 8 is returned into itsoriginal position by the force of the spring 21 until it strikes theright limiting screw 11, whereby the pawl 27 takes along the ratchetwheel 6 and the stop pawl 23 slides thereby over the teeth of theratchet wheel. The zero position of the scale corresponds to theposition of the circular plate 7, where the control bolt 15 of thecontact unit 17 just enters the slot portion 14 of the circular plate 7.

In FIG. 3, showing a more detailed view of the counter, the limitingscrew 11 for the right extreme position of the crank arm 8 is replacedby an angular stop 30, against which the face of the pawl 27 rests dueto pressure of the spring 21 so that not only the crank arm 8 but alsothe ratchet wheel 6 is secured against unwelcomed overtravel due toinertia.

Prior to operation, the position of the ratchet wheel 6 is firstadjusted to the required number of turns indicated on the scale 18 byturning the knob 19 to the left, whereby the pawl 23 jumps over theteeth of the ratchet wheel and the bolt 15 can slide over the inclinededge of the slot 14 to remain on the upper surface of the circular plate7, where it causes the closing of contacts of the contact unit 17 whichprepare the circuit for driving the coil winding machine. The pawl 27 isin the course of this adjustment raised out of engagement with theratchet wheel 6 by energizing the electromagnet 2 for instance by apushbutton. After starting this machine, the electromagnet 2 receives ateach turn wound on the core of the coil an impulse, the armature 3 ofthe electromagnet 2 is attracted and causes via the roller 22 a turningof the crank arm 8 to the left until its extension 9 strikes the leftlimiting screw 11. The

pawl 27 slides thereby over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 6, whichremains stationary due to the action of the stop pawl 23. As soon as theelectromagnet 2 becomes deenergized, the spring 2! pulls the crank arm 8back until its extension 9 strikes the right limiting screw 11 wherebythe pawl 27 takes along the ratchet wheel 6. This operation is repeated,whereby the bolt 15 slides on the upper surface of the circular plate 7.

, As soon as the bolt 15 reaches the steep edge of the slot 14 it dropson the surface of the ratchet wheel 6 and cuts out the driving circuitof the coil winding machine by opening the contacts 17 and the machinecomes to a stop.

The electromagnetic counter according to this invention enables an easyand simple adjustment of the required number of turns to be wound by asingle control knob, whereby the further operation is quite automaticand after the preselected number of turns is wound, the winding machineis automatically stopped.

We claim:

1. An electromagnetic counter with switching means reactingautomatically after a predetermined number of operations has taken placecomprising:

a frame,

a shaft supported by said frame,

a ratchet means mounted rotatably on said shalt,

an actuator means adapted to perform an oscillating movement around theaxis of said shaft,

adjustable stop means to determine both extreme positions of saidactuator means,

biasing means urging said actuator means into the first as tremeposition,

electromagnetic means urging said actuator means against said biasingforce into the second extreme position,

first stationary pawl means allowing unidirectional movement of theratchet means,

second pawl means mounted on said actuator means to cause incrementalmovement of the ratchet means,

plate means with a radial slot fixed to said ratchet means,

actuating switch means adapted to slide along the surface of said platemeans,

a scale means on said frame, and

a control knob fixed on said shaft cooperating with said scale means.

2. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidadjustable stop means to determiner said first extreme position of saidcrank arm engages said second pawl means and urges said second pawlmeans into engagement with said ratchet wheel.

3. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 provided withadditional switching means to energize the'electromagnetic means forurging the crank arm into its extreme position against the spring force.

4. And electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platemeans is circular and said actuating switch means comprises a bolt, saidradial slot having an inclined radial edge forming a track for saidbolt, said track being inclined to raise said bolt, from said slot tothe surface of said circular plate means on movement thereof.

1. An electromagnetic counter with switching means reactingautomatically after a predetermined number of operations has taken placecomprising: a frame, a shaft supported by said frame, a ratchet meansmounted rotatably on said shaft, an actuator means adapted to perform anoscillating movement around the axis of said shaft, adjustable stopmeans to determine both extreme positions of said actuator means,biasing means urging said actuator means into the first extremeposition, electromagnetic means urging said actuator means against saidbiasing force into the second extreme position, first stationary pawlmeans allowing unidirectional movement of the ratchet means, second pawlmeans mounted on said actuator means to cause incremental movement ofthe ratchet means, plate means with a radial slot fixed to said ratchetmeans, actuating switch means adapted to slide along the surface of saidplate means, a scale means on said frame, and a control knob fixed onsaid shaft cooperating with said scale means.
 2. An electromagneticcounter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means todeterminer said first extreme position of said crank arm engages saidsecond pawl means and urges said second pawl means into engagement withsaid ratchet wheel.
 3. An electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1provided with additional switching means to energize the electromagneticmeans for urging the crank arm into its extreme position against thespring force.
 4. And electromagnetic counter as claimed in claim 1wherein said plate means is circular and said actuating switch meanscomprises a bolt, said radial slot having an inclined radial edgeforming a track for said bolt, said track being inclined to raise saidbolt, from said slot to the surface of said circular plate means onmovement thereof.